The Repair Shop's Jay Blades looks downcast as he's seen leaving court after being charged
Jay Blades was spotted leaving court on Friday after being charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, the 54-year-old cutting a downbeat figure as he faced waiting photographers. The star of The Repair Shop was at Kidderminster Magistrates' court to face the charge against his estranged wife, Lisa.
The charges have come as a shock to many fans of the star, who are used to seeing Jay as an amiable, friendly figure, usually looking dapper on the BBC staple in his trademark flat cap and gilet. A glum looking Jay left court with two pals. The star kept his head low as he made his way through the waiting photographers in pictures obtained by The Sun. Sporting a long pink puffer jacket, a hoodie, joggers and black Nike trainers, he headed into a car which drove off.
Jay’s arrest on May 3 came the same day his wife Lisa Zbozen announced the end of their 18-month marriage. The charges see the dad-of-three accused of physical and emotional abuse towards Lisa between January 1, 2023 and September 12, 2024.
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A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police confirmed: “54-year-old Jason Blades of Claverley in Wolverhampton has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.”
Jay will next appear at Worcester Crown Court on October 11. He was freed on bail on the condition he does not contact Lisa either directly or indirectly. Lisa broke her silence with a post on social media after the news broke, sharing a news article reporting the charge against Jay .
Jay has presented The Repair Shop for seven years. While the show screens on BBC One, it is made independently by Ricochet and sold to the channel.
Regarding the presenter's future on the show an insider at the broadcaster told The Sun they felt the BBC would air on the side of caution. “Decisions on who does and doesn’t feature in shows made by indies [independent production companies] is entirely up to them. But it can’t be clearer - the Beeb won’t feature any new shows in which he appears, until it is clear how legal proceedings conclude,” they said.
Jay was awarded an MBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours, for services to craft, and is set to front an upcoming Channel 5 series titled Jay Blades: A Country House Through Time. He recently fronted a 15-part BBC series with Sir David Jason titled David & Jay's Touring Toolshed and a recent Channel 4 feature with Dame Judi Dench, called Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple.